Roto Riteup: May 15, 2023

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May 15, 2023

Wait – what did you just say, bro? You said I’ll never be able to show everyone how much I love and respect all mothers in the entire world, no matter how loud and angry I get? Are you kidding me, bro? No one loves and respects them more than me AND I’LL PROVE IT RIGHT NOW, BRO!

On the Agenda:

  1. News and Notes
  2. Bumps and Bruises
  3. Closer Kumite
  4. Performance!
  5. Streaming Pitchers

 

News and Notes

Carlos Rodón threw from 60-75 feet on Saturday and Sunday but still doesn’t have a firm timetable for return.

Pete Fairbanks (forearm) is set to return from the IL on Tuesday. Such a minimal stay might allay some of the fears we had after just hearing the word “forearm” after his initial injury. Hopefully, the curse running rampant among Tampa pitchers will now leave him alone.

Cincinnati is expected to call up one of their top prospects on Monday, 23-year-old middle-infielder, Matt McClain, who has been having a bonkers year so far at Triple-A. In 168 PA, McClain has 12 HR, and 10 SB, slashing .346/.464/.713, with a .496 wOBA. Considering a lineup that regularly features Kevin Newman and Henery Ramos, expect McClain to find plenty of space to play.

Bumps and Bruises

Yandy Díaz was pulled with left groin tightness in the first of Tampa Bay’s win over the Yankees. Díaz lead the game off with a double but slipped past the bag, staying in long enough to score but then being replaced by Isaac Paredes in the bottom of the frame. He’s set to have an MRI later today.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is dealing with turf toe after a meeting on wall street didn’t go as planned. He’ll see a specialist before Miami decides if an IL stint will be required.

C.J. Cron left in the fourth inning with back spasms and Bud Black said after the game that he will likely need an IL stay. This might herald the return of Elehuris Montero to the bigs, that is unless someone decides Mike Moustakas-time is a good idea. Since his demotion on April 24, Montero has been destroying Triple-A, hitting 8 HR over 82 PA, while slashing .324/.390/.704 with a .449 wOBA.

Joey Gallo was removed in the seventh inning of the Twins 16-3 win over the Cubs, appearing to injure his hamstring while running out a grounder. Trevor Larnach had already just been recalled on Sunday with the injury to Max Kepler (hamstring) so the Minnesota outfield is really having their depth challenged. Willi Castro and Michael A. Taylor are the only outfielders left on the bench and while Royce Lewis has started his rehab assignment, he’s still likely 2-3 weeks away. But even if Lewis was closer, the Twins had previously said he’d be focusing on shortstop and third base during his rehab.

Anthony Rendon was held out of the lineup on Sunday after being removed in Saturday’s game with groin tightness. Consider him day-to-day.

Dylan Carlson left Sunday’s game after spraining his left ankle. Consider him day-to-day but an IL stint might be imminent. If so, Lars Nootbaar is the only other Cardinal to have logged any time in centerfield besides Tyler O’Neill who is still on the IL with a back sprain.

Closer Kumite

Raisel Iglesias blew the Save on Sunday, allowing two runs on three hits in two-thirds of an inning. More concerning was the velo drop across his pitch mix, with the four-seamer averaging 93 mph (down about 2 mph) both from last year and his two previous appearances since returning from the IL. If there is a setback in his shoulder health, I’d expect Nick Anderson to get the first crack, given how much A.J. Minter has struggled lately.

A.J. Puk went from a dead arm to the IL, hitting the 15-day with nerve irritation in his elbow. Puk hasn’t pitched since May 10. It’ll probably be a mix-and-match in Miami until he returns, with Huascar Brazoban blowing a Save last Friday and Dylan Floro converting one on Sunday (Brazoban faced the top of the order in the 8th).

The Phillies lost on Sunday but on Saturday it was Gregory Soto picking up the Save after Craig Kimbrel got one on Friday following José Alvarado’s placement on the IL. And it’s not like Soto was brought in to face a slew of lefties, getting Brenton Doyle (R), Jurickson Profar (B), and Kris Bryant (R). Maybe Kimbrel is the closer but I’d lean committee more.

Performance!

Mitch Keller spun a gem on Sunday, striking out 13 Orioles over seven shutout innings. He spread out the whiffs amongst his six-pitch mix, getting four with the sweeper, three each from the four-seamer and sinker, plus one apiece for the cutter and curveball. Less spreading among the Orioles, though – Ryan Mountcastle, Gunnar Henderson, and Kyle Stowers combined for nine of Keller’s 13 strikeouts. Keller’s next matchup is Sunday in Arizona and might be a tough test. The Diamondbacks have a 19% K% vs RHP that’s the lowest in baseball and the 5th-highest wOBA.

But we all know how this inevitably ends, right?

Patrick Sandoval brought his finest pitching cutlery to an early Sunday start in Cleveland, likely wishing to leave that factory of sadness behind as soon as possible. Sandoval struck out five (with 12 whiffs on his slider) in 7 2/3 IP, allowing 2 ER (3 runs) on five hits and one walk but was better than the line indicates, as his final inning went: single, sac bunt, intentional walk, replaced by Carlos Estévez, three-run home run on the second pitch. Sandoval now has a 3.22 ERA but even more impressive (for him) is a 1.16 WHIP, a category that has previously been his value Voldemort. His next start will come next Saturday at home against Minnesota.

Tanner Bibee was even better on the other side of Sandoval, reinvigorating the spirits of all those who opened up their FAAB wallets in a big way for him not long ago after Detroit lit him up a bit in his last start. Bibee allowed just one run on two hits and zero walks over 7 2/3 IP, striking out seven. His next start lines up on the road against the Mets.

Streaming Pitchers

Streamer for Today: Michael Wacha, SD vs KC

High Risk: David Peterson, NYM  @WSN

Streamer for Tomorrow: Luis L. Ortiz, PIT 

 





 

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